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Broseley Heritage Centre Project backed by donation

Our regional business Taylor Wimpey Midlands has made a cash donation to the Broseley Heritage Centre Project Group to help fund the development of the Broseley Heritage Centre at All Saints Church.

With our brand new Haycop Rise development now open in Broseley, Shropshire, we donated £1,000 to the Heritage Centre Project to help fund their first-stage application for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Paul Taylor, Chair of Broseley Heritage Centre Project Group, says: “The money we have already raised will be funding the first stage of our application to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which we hope will provide a grant to help us actually go ahead with constructing the heritage centre.

“We have currently raised more than £15,000 but we need to raise a total of £19,000 before we can submit an application for the first-stage award, which will fund the costs of the architects and designers to develop a plan and work out the final price of the completed project.

“The money we have already raised has come from personal donations and community organisations such as Taylor Wimpey. The response we have received from the local community has been fantastic!”

The Heritage Centre will focus on the history of Broseley town, illustrated through information and artefacts provided by the Broseley Local History Society, covering the pre-industrial revolution period, the industrial revolution, coal and clay mining, iron and ceramic works, leading to the present-day Broseley town.

Paul says: “If our plans are approved then there will be a great deal involved in the project, including the installation of a mezzanine floor and toilet facilities, the development of a shop and refreshments area, plus the relocation and restoration of the church organ, as this currently blocks the view of the church’s stained glass window which we also plan to exhibit.”

The Heritage Centre Project plans to base itself at the Broseley church due to the space that is available, as it can seat approximately 700 people and is referred to locally as the ‘Cathedral of Shropshire’. The church also features a stunning stained glass window which was designed by Charles Kempe, and is believed to be his last design due to the two different makers’ marks on it.

Paul says: “We also want to include the stained glass window in the Heritage Centre, as it features two different makers’ marks, one which was Kempe’s and another from the company which was set up following his death. This means that this design could have been the last he was involved in as no others in the world have both of these markings.”

Currently the project is relying on donations to raise the money required for the first-stage application.

Paul adds: “Any fundraising events will take place following the approval of our plans, when we know a more final cost for the overall project. We hope to create a good quality visitor attraction with the possibility of also creating an economic part of the community.

“We would like to say thank you very much to Taylor Wimpey, as they are helping to bring the church back to life and hopefully put it on the map.”

Anne Wallace, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey Midlands, says: “We are very pleased to offer this donation to the Broseley Heritage Centre Project and to be able to help them progress their plans to the next step.

“We feel it’s really important for people to learn about the town’s history and it’s a really great thing that the group is helping to conserve local heritage. We wish them the best of luck with their project.”

Haycop Rise currently offers a choice of two, three and four-bedroom houses.